5 Things You Need to Know About Gluten

Unless
you’ve been on a media-free diet, you probably saw Jimmy Kimmel Live’s
hilarious “What is Gluten?” video, in which none of the gluten avoiders
interviewed could explain exactly what gluten is. The truth is, most of
my gluten-free clients don’t really know what it is either, but they do
know that they feel better when they avoid it.

But
there’s a problem: I noticed that some of the things people said in
Kimmel’s video, like where they think gluten is found, were just plain
incorrect. The video has more than 2 million views, so I thought it
would be helpful to provide a primer. Here are five things you should
know before starting a gluten-free diet, in order to reap the benefits
and avoid the pitfalls.

Health.com:16 Ways to Lose Weight FastGluten is a protein
Yup, gluten is a type of protein naturally found in wheat (including
spelt, kamut, farro, and bulgur) and other grains, like barley and rye.
But gluten also lurks in many products, like salad dressings, seasoning
mixes, vitamins, and even lip balm, so eliminating it completely is a
big commitment. I’ve met many people who say they are gluten-free, but
in reality they’ve just eliminated wheat-based foods like bread, pasta,
and bagels, because they think wheat is the only source. If you truly
need to banish gluten altogether, you need to become a gluten sleuth.Gluten isn’t in every type of grain
I’ve heard many people say that gluten is found in grains period, but
that’s not the case. There are several grains that are naturally
gluten-free, including rice, corn and popcorn, quinoa, amaranth,
buckwheat, millet, sorghum, teff, and oats (as long as they haven’t been
contaminated with wheat during processing). In other words, gluten-free
and grain-free aren’t synonymous, and I don’t recommend the latter.
Gluten-free whole grains are chock full of vitamins, minerals,
antioxidants, and fiber, and as long as you don’t overdo it
portion-wise, including them in your diet can help you lose weight, and
protect your health. Unfortunately the gluten-free craze has given all
grains a bit of a black eye, but refined white pasta and quinoa aren’t
even close to being in the same category from a nutrition perspective.Health.com:6 ‘Bad’ Carbs That Are Actually Good for YouGluten-free foods can be processed, too
Some people are under the assumption that all processed foods contain
gluten and no gluten-free foods are refined or processed, but that’s
not accurate. Because gluten-free has exploded in popularity, there are
more gluten-free products than ever, and many are highly processed, or
made with refined versions of gluten-free grains, such as white rice.
For the best nutritional bang for your buck, look beyond the words
“gluten-free” on a package and read the ingredient list—it should read
like a recipe you could recreate in your own kitchen. And if grains are
included (some gluten-free products are made with other starches, like
potatoes or beans), they should be whole, which means they haven’t been
stripped of their fiber and nutrients.Health.com:11 Reasons Why You’re Not Losing Belly FatAvoiding gluten may help you feel better, even if you don’t have Celiac disease
People who have Celiac disease must completely eliminate gluten,
because consuming even small amounts triggers symptoms, including belly
pain and bloating. This happens because in people with Celiac, gluten
causes the immune system to damage or destroy villi, the tiny,
finger-like outgrowths that line the small intestine like a microscopic
plush carpet. Healthy villi absorb nutrients through the intestinal wall
into the bloodstream, so when they become damaged, chronic malnutrition
occurs, which is typically accompanied by weight loss and exhaustion.
In people with this diagnosis, avoiding gluten is the only way to
reverse the damage.
However, people who test negative for Celiac may also benefit from
going gluten-free if they’re experiencing a condition called gluten
intolerance, or gluten sensitivity. While it’s not the same as Celiac
disease, consuming gluten can cause bothersome side effects in many
people, including flu-like feelings, bloating and other gastrointestinal
problems, mental fogginess, and fatigue. Unfortunately at this time,
there is no widely accepted test for gluten sensitivity, and the
symptoms may be related to other issues, including stress, so it’s not
black and white. If you think you may have a gluten sensitivity, avoid
gluten and monitor how you feel.Health.com:25 Fattening Foods You Should Never EatWhat you eat when going gluten-free is as important as what you don’t
A lot of people who go gluten-free focus on getting rid of foods, but
to balance your diet and ensure that you’re taking in a broad spectrum
of nutrients, it’s also important to emphasize what you do eat. As I
noted, there are several nutrient-packed whole grains that are naturally
gluten-free. So if your old standby side dish was pasta, replace it
with something like whole grain rice (brown, red, black, or wild),
quinoa, or roasted organic corn.
Fresh veggies and fruits, beans, lentils, and nuts are also
gluten-free, so if you used to nibble on crackers, pretzels, or cookies,
trade them for wholesome snacks, like veggies with hummus, berries with
nuts, or roasted chickpeas. One of the key benefits of adopting a
gluten-free diet is that it’s an opportunity to reinvent the way you
eat. Take it on it by seeking out superfoods, so in addition to getting
rid of gluten, you’ll also be embracing a wide variety of nutrients that
will help you look and feel your best.Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, is Health’s contributing nutrition editor. Her latest New York Times best seller is S.A.S.S! Yourself Slim: Conquer Cravings, Drop Pounds and Lose Inches.